Sedulity (Book One) Impact Read Online Free PDF

leading
close to a thousand people downstairs and suddenly realized that she might not
be taking them to the safest place to be. Inspiration struck her in an instant.
She grasped Staff Captain Stevens by the arm as they descended the stairs and
explained her concerns, as well as a suggestion for a safer place to lead the
passengers.
    Staff Captain Stevens was the second highest ranking officer
on the ship, responsible for both the deck crew and the hospitality staff, as
well as the safety and comfort of all the passengers. He pondered Lydia’s
proposal for only a moment before nodding and turning to call out, “Change of
plans! Direct all the passengers forward to the main theater in the bow. There
are no windows and plenty of seats for them to ride out whatever is coming.”
    “Yes, Sir,” replied a chorus of crew.
    Stevens turned back to Lydia and said, “Good idea. They will
still be close to the lifeboats, if necessary, but that should put them out of
harm’s way and make them more comfortable.”
     Lydia nodded and would have smiled her appreciation, if she
wasn’t in fear for her life and those in their charge. It was a big decision
for Staff Captain Stevens to countermand her husband’s order, but she was glad
he agreed with her idea and it seemed like the right thing to do. The important
thing was to get as many passengers as possible to safety. The big theater seemed
like the safest place. Lydia could feel the ship listing into a sharp turn and
realized that her husband was bringing it about to face whatever threat was
approaching from the asteroid strike. The bow would be the first thing hit, but
it was also the toughest part of the hull. She hoped that it was strong enough
and that her suggestion wasn’t a huge mistake.
    When they reached the Deck 5 landing Stevens instructed
several of the crew to direct half of the passengers forward into the balcony
sections of the theater, while the rest continued down to Deck 4 to enter the
main levels of the theater. Lydia went with the latter group and hurried
straight to the stage with Staff Captain Stevens. It was the largest room in
the ship, with seating for more than half the ship’s passengers.  She watched
hundreds of them file into the room and tried to remain calm. She knew that she
needed to appear confident, if only to keep the passengers from panicking.
    Staff Captain Stevens stepped up onto the stage and turned to
address the passengers in a loud and confident voice. “Ladies and gentlemen!
Please take a seat and remain calm. There are no windows in the theater and the
bow is the strongest part of the ship. We should all be safe here. However, if
it becomes necessary to move to the lifeboat stations you will all go calmly
out the exits and make your way directly to your assigned muster station. We
don’t know quite what to expect, but I can assure you that Captain Krystos is
doing everything possible to ensure your safety and the safety of this ship.”
    His voice had a calming effect on the crowd, but Lydia could
tell that they were frightened and confused. It was clear that many of them
didn’t like the idea of being cooped up in a room without windows, where they
couldn’t see what was happening outside, even if it was safer. The crew would
need to be diplomatic, but insistent, to keep them all in their seats.
    Staff Captain Stevens turned to Lydia and, in a low voice,
said, “I must go to the muster stations and oversea the evacuation of the rest
of the passengers. I need you to stay here and keep these people calm.” He
paused and Lydia gave a forced nod of assent. “I’m not sure what is coming, but
you’re probably correct that this is the safest place to be. Just be ready to
evacuate to the lifeboats, if things go badly.”  Lydia nodded again, feeling
naked and alone in the crowded theater when Staff Captain Stevens stepped off
the stage, leaving her to face the fearful crowd.
    ****
       The bow was coming around nicely when